Ellis Island | Yearning to Breathe Free
American History Tellers

Ellis Island | Yearning to Breathe Free

B2Upper-intermediateSeptember 30, 202639 min

In the 19th century, economic turmoil, political unrest, and religious persecution drove record numbers of Europeans to American shores — making New York City the busiest port of entry. But new immigrants faced a dizzying array of conmen and thieves eager to prey on their confusion. In 1892, the U.S. government reined in the chaos by establishing a federal immigration depot on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Over the next three decades, a small group of government inspectors would confront one of the largest mass migrations in the history of the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...

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Audible subscribers can binge new seasons of American history tellers early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app, or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Imagine it's a summer day in 1848. You and your wife are standing on the deck of a sailing ship that has just docked in Lower Manhattan. After six weeks at sea in a damp and crowded

0:29

steerage cabin. You're relishing the fresh air and your first sight of New York City. You're anxiously waiting for your chance to disembark when a group of men walk up the gangplank to board the ship. One of them takes long strides toward you and your wife. He bows his head and doves his cap, a grin spreading across his face.

0:49

Well, good morning, and welcome to New York City. He extends a hand, and the sunlight catches a silver ring on one of his fingers. You You shake his hand firmly, marveling at the familiar crest on the ring. Are you an Irishman?

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